What to Expect from Zopiclone

The Zopiclone tablets are one of the most popular prescribed sleeping pills. They are used to treat insomnia, which is a complicated condition. So this blog will focus on what insomnia is, what causes insomnia, and how it can be treated with Zopiclone sleeping tablets – and this category will be divided into a few categories that will answer the following questions: how to take the medication, what happens if you take more than the prescribed amount per night, if you forget to take it, and if you stop taking it.

What Is Insomnia?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, insomnia is a medical condition that prevents people from staying asleep, falling asleep, waking up at night more than once, and waking up very early in the morning. People suffering from insomnia are not satisfied with their sleep; thus, they experience some of the following symptoms: inability to work properly or study if in school, mood changes, decreased energy, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. Insomnia is divided into two categories – Acute and Chronic.

Acute Insomnia. Most people have experienced acute insomnia. That happens when a person receives bad news, stressful information or situation, for instance, having an exam or if someone you know is very ill. The news a person receives can lead to a sleepless night, or as it is said in the medical term “sleep disruption.” This type of insomnia does not require any treatment, it usually disappears when the stressful situation or information passes.

Chronic Insomnia. People who have this problem do not sleep at least three nights a week, which lasts a minimum of three months. This disorder is very stressful, and people with chronic insomnia tend to be easily irritated and in some cases become aggressive (although not very common). Lack of sleep (only a few hours a night), can and in some cases, does lead to other health problems. Thus, treatment is required.

What Causes Chronic Insomnia?

Shift work (that includes getting up early in the morning, night shifts, starting work in the evening, and rotating shifts).

Changes in the environment.

Unhealthy sleeping habits.

Particular medications and other clinal disorders.

Medical Causes of Insomnia

Asthma

Arthritis

Low back pain

Chronic pain

Nasal or sinus allergies

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Gastrointestinal problems like reflux. Reflux is also known as acid reflux, and it is most commonly experienced as heartburn. There are certain juices and acids that belong in the stomach, but when they back up, this is when reflux happens and people experience heartburn.

Depression

Endocrine problems like hyperthyroidism. This is thyroid, which is located at the bottom of the neck and above the collarbone. Its function is to control how fast a heart beats, how fast calories are burned, and it also releases hormones that help regulate a person’s metabolism. If a person has hyperthyroidism, that means that the thyroid is overactive and is producing too much of a hormone called thyroxine, which leads to increased metabolism and causes unpleasant symptoms.

Birth Control

Neurological problems like Parkinson’s disease. There are nerve cells called dopamine which send a signal to the brain that controls movements. Parkinson’s disease happens when the dopamine cells break down. When that happens, a person with this medical condition has trouble moving (shaking hands).

Treatment.

There are different sleeping medications that are offered on the market, particularly for people who have insomnia. And one of the most popular medications that are prescribed to people is Zopiclone.

How to take Zopiclone?

The tablets come in two doses: 3.5mg and 7.5mg. Usually, doctors prescribe the 7.5mg dose, which should be taken about an hour before going to bed. The pill should not be crushed or chewed, it should be swallowed whole. These sleeping pills can be taken with food or without food; however, it is very important to take them as prescribed by your doctor.

What Happens If You Overdose?

In such cases, you need to seek medical help right away (call your doctor). Or go to the nearest hospital or emergency room, but make sure that you have someone who can accompany you because overdose can lead to drowsiness very quickly. If the overdose included taking too many sleeping pills, that can lead to coma. Do not, under any circumstances, take more pills than what your doctors advised you.

If You Forget to Take Zopiclone

It is not uncommon for people to forget their medications. So if you forged to take the sleeping pill before bedtime, it is best to start taking the following night.

CAUTION: Never take two doses at the same time or an extra dose. Resume taking the medication the next night.

If you stop taking Zopiclone

The treatment with the Zopiclone tablets should be stopped gradually. Even in some cases, doctors prescribe Diazepam. Sometimes, there are people who experience side effects, for instance, anxiety, mood changes or restlessness, but they disappear with time. And additional treatment is not required in such cases.